Question

A nurse is preparing to start a shift at the hospital and is considering which clients are highest priority to see first. Which of the following clients would be considered second level priority for the nurse to see? Select all that apply.

A. A client who requires a ventilator to help him breath
B. A client who has a mental status change
C. A client who is going into cardiogenic shock
D. A client who has low blood sugar
E. A client who has developed severe peripheral edema

Answer 1

The nurse should consider clients with a mental status change and clients with low blood sugar as second-level priority patients after immediately life-threatening conditions are addressed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Clients who have a mental status change (B) and clients who have low blood sugar (D) would be considered second-level priority for the nurse to see after any immediate life-threatening conditions have been addressed. In triage and patient prioritization in a hospital setting, patients with the most critical and life-threatening conditions are attended to first.

Patients requiring a ventilator (A) or those going into cardiogenic shock (C) represent immediate and life-threatening situations that would be deemed highest priority. After those top-tier emergent cases, second-level priority patients are those who require urgent attention but are not critically unstable. A mental status change (B) could signify a number of conditions, such as infection, dehydration, or medication effects, and requires timely evaluation and treatment to prevent further deterioration.